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Production of a new multipurpose agglomerated cellulose excipient
✓ Patent granted in Colombia: 13152949
In pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations, excipients for direct compression and granulation are of great importance. Microcrystalline cellulose is a widely used excipient with very good properties, with an estimated global market of USD 1 billion by 2020. However, there is little innovation in the field of excipients and manufacturers have the need to cost-effectively produce a more versatile excipient, i.e. compatible with different types of raw materials, suitable for different types of processing and with different functions in the formulation. The group of Design and Formulation of Medicines, Cosmetics and Related Products (CFA) of the University of Antioquia, developed an improved process for obtaining the crystalline form II of cellulose, in agglomerated form, from natural residues (e.g. cotton, sugarcane bagasse, rice husks or corn cobs) with high efficiency. The cellulose resulting from this process possesses properties not obtainable by other production methods that make it compatible with different types of raw materials used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations, having for example a high water absorption (15%) and a controllable particle size (<5μm). The crystalline cellulose obtained can also be used as a source of dietary fiber.
*APPLICATIONS: ✓ Manufacture of inputs for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, particularly excipients with high added value. ✓ Manufacture of raw materials for the production of functional foods and dietary fiber supplements. *ADVANTAGES-BENEFITS: ✓ Widely available raw materials. ✓ Process yields between 50 and 95%. ✓ The cellulosic excipient obtained can reduce up to 50% in costs and 30% in production time of pharmaceutical formulations. ✓ The cellulose obtained is compatible with organic and inorganic materials. ✓ The cellulosic excipient is versatile serving as diluent, binder, disintegrant, flow improver, reducing the number of raw materials needed. ✓ Excipient suitable in both dry and wet granulation.